Water-wasters exposed on social media during drought

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- In some cases neighbors are turning in neighbors for wasting water as California suffers through an extreme drought.

Water restrictions are in place for LADWP customers and violations can bring fines. But it's not just DWP officials who are calling out water-wasters. Social media is playing a part.

Despite the warnings that Californians need to conserve water, some people can still be found watering their lawns during restricted hours.

The DWP water restrictions say no watering between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

One North Hollywood woman who was watering her lawn Monday morning said she didn't know about the restrictions, and didn't know about potential fines either. She promptly turned off her hose.

The DWP says it has crews out looking for potential violators just like this.

"If we get a repeat complaint we will follow up on that. We will give the person a written notice saying 'You are on notice, you violated the ordinance,'" said Jim McDaniel, LADWP senior assistant general manager.

Many people want to get involved to stop water waste, and social media is providing an avenue to show where water is being wasted: #DroughtShaming is getting thousands of pictures.

Spencer Strong Smith sent a photo of someone hosing down the front entrance to a 7-Eleven. He tweeted "Great clean concrete 7-11."

One viewer sent Eyewitness News a photo of soaked sidewalks.

"I get really frustrated that I see so much water waste just by people wanting to water their lawns," said Palms resident Harriet Ells.

Ells sent in several photos to her city councilmember and to Eyewitness News, but she worries it will become a situation where neighbors are reporting on neighbors.

"I don't really know what to do. I think never before have we had an outlet like this," said Ells.

DWP officials encourage people to send them emails and let them know about it.

"We're compiling all those emails that we're getting, and then we hired some new people and we can go out and check those things out," said McDaniel.

Officials say it's OK to water your lawn as long as it's done during certain hours on specific days.

Video sent to Eyewitness News by a viewer also shows that a lot of water is landing on the sidewalk. And one viewer sent a location for a leaking fire hydrant. We found it on Hawthorne Boulevard: It's a small leak but big enough that it leaves a long trail down the street. People in the area say it has been going on for a long time.

"They're riding by here every day and not paying attention," said L.A. resident Leroy Horne.

To report water waste, send an email to waterwaste@ladwp.com

For more information on residential water usage in the city: LADWP Drought Information